Airport Alert: Negative COVID Test Required to Fly Into the United States From All International Locations
January 12, 2021
Effective January 26, 2021, all international air passengers (ages 2 and above) will be required to obtain a negative COVID test result within three days before their flight to the United States departs and provide written documentation of their viral test results or proof of having recovered from COVID-19. The airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers, or the documentation of recovery, before they board. If a passenger does not provide proof of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a viral test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger. Passengers are required to produce the test result or documentation of recovery to any U.S. government or public health official upon request. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) order states that test results are not valid if there is a break in the travel journey of 24 hours or more.
The order includes exemptions for:
This policy expands on a similar order that took effect on December 28, 2020, that required travelers from the United Kingdom to show proof of a negative COVID test result before departing for the United States.
This order does not place any requirements on U.S airports, just on airlines and travelers. It is intended to help slow the spread of the virus and its recent mutations as the United States ramps up vaccinations.
The order does not lift travel restrictions put in place last year that largely prohibit citizens from Europe (Schengen area), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, China, and Iran from entering the United States. These are known as 212f restrictions.
This order remains in effect until the earliest of these three options:
AAAE expects this order to be published in the Federal Register shortly.
For additional information, the CDC has provided frequently asked questions and a copy of the health attestation form.
As a reminder, CDC currently recommends that all air travelers, including those flying within the United States, get tested (using a viral test) one to three days before travel, and again three to five days after the trip is complete. CDC does not recommend COVID testing immediately after arrival, but some countries require it. Additionally, the CDC recommends that a traveler stay home for 7 days after travel even with a negative test result.
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Gupta.
Effective January 26, 2021, all international air passengers (ages 2 and above) will be required to obtain a negative COVID test result within three days before their flight to the United States departs and provide written documentation of their viral test results or proof of having recovered from COVID-19. The airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers, or the documentation of recovery, before they board. If a passenger does not provide proof of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a viral test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger. Passengers are required to produce the test result or documentation of recovery to any U.S. government or public health official upon request. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) order states that test results are not valid if there is a break in the travel journey of 24 hours or more.
The order includes exemptions for:
- crew members of airlines or aircraft operators provided they meet safety protocols for the prevention of COVID-19 as set forth in FAA's Safety Alerts for Operations,
- law enforcement and military personnel traveling on orders,
- aircraft operators transporting COVID-19 passengers pursuant to CDC guidance, and
- aircraft or airlines granted specific waivers from this order based on CDC's determination that a foreign country lacks COVID testing capability.
This policy expands on a similar order that took effect on December 28, 2020, that required travelers from the United Kingdom to show proof of a negative COVID test result before departing for the United States.
This order does not place any requirements on U.S airports, just on airlines and travelers. It is intended to help slow the spread of the virus and its recent mutations as the United States ramps up vaccinations.
The order does not lift travel restrictions put in place last year that largely prohibit citizens from Europe (Schengen area), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, China, and Iran from entering the United States. These are known as 212f restrictions.
This order remains in effect until the earliest of these three options:
- the Department of Health and Human Services declaration of a COVID emergency expires,
- the CDC Director modifies or rescinds the order based on specific public health or other guidance, or
- December 31, 2021.
AAAE expects this order to be published in the Federal Register shortly.
For additional information, the CDC has provided frequently asked questions and a copy of the health attestation form.
As a reminder, CDC currently recommends that all air travelers, including those flying within the United States, get tested (using a viral test) one to three days before travel, and again three to five days after the trip is complete. CDC does not recommend COVID testing immediately after arrival, but some countries require it. Additionally, the CDC recommends that a traveler stay home for 7 days after travel even with a negative test result.
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Gupta.
